W&m Chapel Cross Plan Defended

WILLIAMSBURG — Despite an online petition and some alumni opposition, the university's board stands by the president's decision to remove the symbol.

College of William and Mary President Gene Nichol defended on Thursday his decision to remove a cross from permanent display at the Wren Chapel. He told the school's Board of Visitors that displaying the Christian symbol in the historic building excluded students of other religions.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran February 14, 2007.Numerous stories about the College of William and Mary Wren Chapel's cross in recent weeks have erroneously described it as bronze. It's made of brass. (Text corrected.)

His statements came after a petition with more than 1,400 signatures calling for the brass cross to be put back was presented to the board, the college's governing body, Thursday morning.

"Some have thought that my steps disrespect the traditions of the college, or, even more unacceptably, the religious beliefs of its members," Nichol said. "That perception lies heavy on my heart."

Last month, Nichol ordered the small century-old brass cross to be kept in a sacristy, to allow the popular religious space to be more welcoming for all faiths. It is brought back to the chapel upon request.

The chapel is in the 307-year-old Wren Building, which is used for secular meetings, including annual school-wide events for freshmen and seniors. Nichol's decision has spurred passionate public debate about whether the cross belongs on permanent display.

The Wren Chapel is the most revered place at the college, Nichol said Thursday. Displaying the Christian cross there "sends an unmistakable message that the chapel belongs more fully to some of us than to others," he said.

The cross has been displayed frequently by request, he said. Since its removal, he said, students of different religions have reported using the chapel for the first time. "In the college's family, there should be no outsiders. All belong."

Nichol read his written statement to the Board of Visitors Thursday afternoon. Afterward, Board Rector Michael Powell said the board stood by Nichol.

Many alumni and community members disagree with Nichol's decision. Vince Haley, a 1988 William and Mary alumnus living in Washington, D.C., created a Web site -- SaveTheWrenCross.org -- which includes the online petition drive, letters to Nichol and a video of the cross being put back in the sacristy after a religious ceremony 10 days ago.

Before the policy change, the cross could be removed if a group so requested. In the 2005-06 academic year, about 20 of 111 wedding parties in the Wren Chapel asked that the cross be removed, Haley said.

Making the cross' presence by-request-only "puts William and Mary adrift from its historical moorings," Haley said. That Nichol would make this decision without consulting alumni or students upset Haley almost as much, he said.

Nichol promised a broad campus discussion but that has yet to surface, Haley said. He worries that the words "God, our father, hear our voice," could be stricken from the school's alma mater or the altar or pulpit itself could be removed.

"They're usually rigorous with the historical authenticity of the college, but I guess now they're just changing things that are offensive to some," Haley said. "What does it say about William and Mary students when they're offended by a symbol and we respond by collapsing and putting away that what's offensive?"

Later on Thursday, student James Ambrose told the Board of Visitors that most students were neutral on the issue.

"Most students are too busy studying in Swem (Library) to care about this issue," he said.